Method and apparatus for photographing and projecting moving images in three dimensions

ABSTRACT

A digital cinematographic and projection process that provides 3D stereoscopic imagery that is not adversely affected by the standard frame rate of 24 frames per second, as is the convention in the motion picture industry worldwide. A method for photographing and projecting moving images in three dimensions includes recording a moving image with a first and a second camera simultaneously and interleaving a plurality of frames recorded by the first camera with a plurality of frames recorded by the second camera. The step of interleaving includes retaining odd numbered frames recorded by the first camera and deleting the even numbered frames, retaining even numbered frames recorded by the second camera and deleting the odd numbered frames, and creating an image sequence by alternating the retained images from the first and second camera.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/509,063, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,204,132, filed on Jul. 6, 2012,which is a national stage application under 35 U.S.C. §371 ofPCT/US10/03251, filed on Dec. 23, 2010, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/290,050, filed on Dec. 24, 2009,each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to motion picturephotography generally and, more particularly, to digital motion picturephotography for projecting moving images in three dimensions.

BACKGROUND

Motion picture photography and projection is commonly accomplished via aseries of still photographs on a strip of sprocketed celluloid film. Inthe camera, conventions of the motion picture industry call for astandardized frame rate of 24 frames per second, most commonlyphotographed using a rotating shutter in the camera such that during 360degrees of shutter rotation, half of the time (1/48^(th) of a second)the shutter is open while the film is held fixed in the camera aperture,and the other half of the time the shutter is closed in order for amechanical movement to transport the film to the next frame, utilizingthe perforations on the film to register to either sprockets or claws tomove the film as well as hold it in position during each exposure.

For projection, the same frame rate of 24 is used, however the shutterspeed is doubled, so that each frame of film is shown twice beforeproceeding to the next frame. The shutter is often called a “butterfly”,having two openings of 90 degrees each, and two closures of 90 degreeseach, thus still rotating at 360 degrees per frame. During one of theshutter closures the film is advanced to the next frame using amechanical Geneva mechanism, or sometimes a low inertia electric steppermotor. The reason for the double shuttering, which creates a 48cycle-per-second rate, is to reduce objectionable perceived flicker ofthe image on the screen, which is limited in brightness to not more than16 foot lamberts. Projection brighter than 16 foot lamberts reintroducesobjectionable perceived flicker.

An objectionable artifact of this double-shuttering of each image frameis a substantial loss of motion continuity due to the fact that theimage does not contain new motion position on each flash, resulting in astroboscopic effect retained in the human retina. This loss of motioncontinuity is exacerbated in stereoscopic motion pictures, sinceframe-to-frame image displacement is often equal to, or more than, theleft eye--right eye image separation needed for stereoscopic imagery.

With the advent of digital photography and digital projection, however,it is now possible to consider an alternative methodology ofphotographing and projecting a series of images in such a manner as tofully retain both temporal motion continuity, while also diminishing theobjectionable artifacts of the 24 fps world standard.

It is common knowledge amongst cinematographers, directors, and editorsthat frame-to-frame object or image motion must be substantially limitedin order to avoid objectionable blurring or strobing. Blurring resultsfrom object/image motion that occurs during the shutter opening of1/48^(th) of a second. Strobing occurs when the image displacement fromone frame to the next becomes so great that the eye cannot integrate thesequence of frames into a smooth motion. Screen size is considered alimitation, since frame-to-frame image displacement can become quiteobjectionable on large screens due to angular displacement of frames onfast action. IMAX is a good example of this phenomenon, and IMAX filmsroutinely slow their camera and object motion in order to avoidobjectionable blurring and strobing.

Another shortcoming of the 24 frame standard is that when projecting a3D movie, which includes two simultaneous projections of left and righteye imagery, if the motion displacement or blur between frames exceedsthe displacement between right and left eye convergence angles, the 3Deffect is lost and is overcome by blurring and strobing of the image.

An earlier invention and patent for the Showscan system disclosed thephotographing and projecting of motion pictures at sixty frames persecond. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,160, incorporated herein by reference inits entirety. The Showscan system resulted in a solution for the aboveshortcomings of conventional film, while demonstrably increasing a senseof “liveness” and audience stimulation. Each frame was shown only once,thus not using a double-bladed shutter, and at a shutter opening of120^(th) of a second, blurring of the recorded image was substantiallyreduced. At a projection rate of 60 frames per second, there was noapparent flicker at any increased screen brightness, and there was nodiscontinuity of motion. 3D films photographed and projected in Showscanhad no objectionable object/image motion limitations that wouldadversely affect the 3D illusion.

Nevertheless, worldwide motion picture audiences are accustomed to the24 frames per second standard, although the advent of 3D production andexhibition is revealing the shortcomings of the 24 fps standard, andsince the film is attempting to create a more “immersive” experience forthe viewer, it is now possible to consider a high frame rate solutionthat solves problems in both photography and projection. Accordingly,embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to take advantage ofemerging digital technologies of electronic cinematography and digitalprojection, which no longer requires adherence to the world standard of24 fps. In fact, the entire idea of “frames” as individual stillphotographs projected in rapid succession can now be revised to a newconcept of overall fluid image flow by substantially increasing thenumber of frames per second. Since the photographed standard 24 fps filmmust be projected at a higher flash rate in order to avoid perceivedflicker, and also solve the requirements for polarized stereoscopicprojection, it is common to interleave alternating left and right eyeframes via several alternating flashes.

For example, the RealD digital polarization technique alternatelypolarizes left and right eye images by sequentially flashing each frameas much as three times, resulting in a “flash rate” of 144 flashes (eachframe being “shown” onto the screen three times). In this way a 24 fpsfilm can be projected by a single digital projector. Since a newobjective of “immersive stereoscopic imagery” is emerging, it is nowpossible to consider that each of the 144 flashes could actually be newframes of motion information, photographed at 144 frames per second. Oneof the major shortcomings of the present standards used when projecting24 fps stereoscopic films is that the temporal information rate isunable to satisfy the need to reduce or eliminate blurring and strobingof the image that is quite objectionable when viewing the filmstereoscopically. The advent of this invention is that by alternatelyphotographing 72 left eye images interleaved with 72 right eye images,there remains perfect temporal continuity of the imagery.

In fact, filmmakers often desire to include in their films as muchaction as possible in order to instill a sense of participation andexcitement in viewers, resulting in a sense of sensory immersion. Yet, atremendous amount of this action is lost in blur if the frame rate islimited to 24 fps. And in 3D, at 24 fps the image may lose all sense ofstereoscopic dimension due to both blur and strobing.

In view of the above, there is a need for a digital cinematographic andprojection process that provides 3D stereoscopic imagery that is notadversely affected by the standard frame rate of 24 frames per second,as is the convention in the motion picture industry worldwide.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, a method and apparatus for photographing andprojecting moving images in three dimensions is disclosed.

A method and apparatus for photographing and projecting moving images inthree dimensions with increased sharpness and clarity is also disclosed.

A method and apparatus for photographing and projecting moving images inthree dimensions that results in extremely sharp and unblurredstereoscopic motion is also disclosed.

A method and apparatus for photographing and projecting moving images inthree dimensions that removes and corrects objectionable artifacts ofblurring, strobing, limited screen brightness, and loss of stereoscopyfor 3D is also disclosed.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a method andapparatus for photographing and projecting moving images in threedimensions is provided. The method includes the steps of recording amoving image with a first and a second camera simultaneously andinterleaving a plurality of frames recorded by the first camera with aplurality of frames recorded by the second camera. The step ofinterleaving includes retaining odd numbered frames recorded by thefirst camera and deleting the even numbered frames, retaining evennumbered frames recorded by the second camera and deleting the oddnumbered frames, and creating an image sequence by alternating theretained images from the first and second camera.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be better understood fromreading the following description of non-limiting embodiments, withreference to the attached drawings, wherein below:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example apparatus for photographing and projectingmoving images in three dimensions according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates example frames of images recorded on a pair ofsprocketed film reels using the apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates example frames of images recorded digitally using theapparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example apparatus for photographing and projectingmoving images in three dimensions in accordance with another embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates example frames of images recorded on a pair of filmstrips using the apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodimentof the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As alluded to above, embodiments of the present disclosure intend tocorrect object/image motion and blurring at the digital camera, byphotographing a sequence of left eye and right eye images at theheretofore unheard of rate of 144 fps, thus delivering to viewers anaccurate depiction of the actual motion that occurred at that moment. Indigital projection, each frame is shown in its correct temporalsequence, while alternating between left eye and right eye flashes, thusresulting in each eye receiving 72 flashes per second, for a total of144 fps. Existing digital projection systems already include 120 and 144cycles-per-second flash rates, thus showing each of the 24 frames fiveor six times for 2D imagery, or two or three times for interleaved 3Dalternating polarization. This eliminates flicker and makes possiblesubstantially increased screen brightness, since the limiting factor of16 foot lamberts at 48 flashes per second has been substantiallyexceeded.

In the short-term implementation of various embodiments, photographywill occur at a predetermined frame rate that is considered more thanadequate to capture clear and unblurred stereoscopic image information,preferably at around 120 or 144 frames per second. Alternatively,however, this could possibly be any new number of frames per secondnecessary to meet industry demands regarding data storage, compression,and distribution costs vs. image quality/impact issues.

An example of the above process would be to shoot at 144 frames persecond with a shutter opening of 360 degrees, which is possible withcertain digital cameras. In this way, each frame would have an exposureof almost exactly 1/144^(th) of a second, resulting in minimal blur oneach frame as compared to shooting at 24 fps, with a shutter opening of1/48^(th) of a second. By digitally alternating left and right eyeframes in correct temporal succession, the resultant imagery wouldcreate a strong immersive experience.

Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the present disclosure isshown. As illustrated therein, a first iteration of the process would beto configure dual digital cameras, a first camera 12 and a second camera14, side-by-side, with a lens center separation, d, similar to standardinterocular spacing of approximately 2.25″. Each camera would recordsynchronized imagery 16 at 144 frames per second, using a 360 degreeshutter 18. This recorded synchronized imagery is shown in FIG. 2wherein imagery from the first camera 12 is recorded on a first strip offilm 20 and imagery from the second camera 14 is recorded on a secondstrip of film 22. Thus, by alternately interleaving frames 1,3,5,7,9from the first camera 12 (deleting the even frames) with frames 2,4,6,8etc. (deleting the odd frames) from the second camera 14, a single datastream would therefore contain alternating stereo pairs of images thatwould be projected in correct temporal sequence, resulting in extremelyfluid, non-blurred, and higher impact stereoscopic imagery that couldthen be projected via an alternating polarization system such as RealD'ssingle projector electronically controlled polarization. The imagesequence of interleaved frames, i.e., the data stream, is represented bythe zigzag sequence line 24 in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, frames of images recorded digitally using theapparatus 10 of FIG. 1 are shown wherein the first set of frames 26contain imagery recorded by the first camera 12 and the second set offrames 28 contain imagery recorded by the second camera 14. As discussedabove, by alternately interleaving frames 1,3,5,7,9 from the firstcamera 12 (deleting the even frames) with frames 2,4,6,8 etc. (deletingthe odd frames) from the second camera 14, a single data stream wouldtherefore contain alternating stereo pairs of images that would beprojected in correct temporal sequence, resulting in extremely fluid,non-blurred, and higher impact stereoscopic imagery. The image sequenceof interleaved frames, i.e., the data stream, is represented by thezigzag sequence line 30 in FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an apparatus 100 according to a secondembodiment of the present disclosure is shown. As shown therein, asecond embodiment of the present disclosure includes the fabrication ofa single digital camera technology that includes within it theappropriate left and right eye lenses 110, 112 and an alternatingrotating mirror shutter 114 that would sequentially deliver left andright eye images to a single sensor 116 at 144 fps. Thus, the left andright eyes each receive interleaved stereoscopic streams of 72 fps each.

The most common digital projection systems today are using either theTexas Instruments Digital Light Processing chips (DLP) that use a matrixof micro mirrors to deliver imagery or the Sony SXRD liquid crystal onsilicon (LCOS) technology. Such chips can switch states of the micromirrors at up to 144 Hz. They use a frame buffer that retains 24 framematerial, so each frame may be flashed six times for 2D, or in the eventof 3D, alternates between left and right imagery, showing each frame forthree alternating flashes. Embodiments of this disclosure anticipate theintroduction of a new contiguous data stream, without a frame buffer,that can introduce new motion imagery on virtually every flash, thusresulting in extremely sharp and unblurred stereoscopic motion.

An additional anticipated aspect of this new technology involves issuesrelated to potentially reduced signal to noise ratio, lowered bit depth,or other problems resulting from such brief exposures on a CCD or CMOSimager. However, trading off these issues with increased apparentsharpness and clarity (rather than blur) could more than make up forthis. It is also possible to trade off resolution in exchange for motioncontinuity and clarity, for example reducing resolution from, say, 4K to2K, while delivering less blurred stereoscopic imagery. The human eyemay still prefer, and not notice, such a process since the overallexperience is one of tremendously increased image information.

The expected result of various embodiments will be the advent of adigital motion picture standard that contains within it the desires ofboth filmmakers and cinema viewers to deliver the immersive experiencethat they expect of a 3D movie, but with all of the objectionableartifacts of blurring, strobing, limited screen brightness, and loss ofstereoscopy for 3D removed and corrected. Various embodiments willfacilitate the production of films with unlimited action potential, aswell as unlimited screen size and brightness. Various embodimentsanticipate the inclusion of motion/action that may exceed the 60 framesper second rate of Showscan, with fast action updated on every flash,rather than the objectionable double shuttering of film. Overall,various embodiments will result in an increased sense of audienceexcitement and stimulation, which is expected to be measurable viaelectromyogram, electroencephalogram, galvanic skin response,electrocardiogram, and possibly even Functional Magnetic ResonanceImaging.

Since 3D films must also be available to the marketplace in normal 2D aswell as 24 fps standard for showing in normal cinemas and on television,it is an implicit intention of various embodiments to offer that (fromeither left or right eye image streams) groups of frames can bedigitally merged into a single frame that would be indistinguishablefrom the same subject photographed at 24 fps, since the shutter was open360 degrees. This is accomplished, in the case of 144 fps by combiningthree sequential frames into one, then deleting the next threesequential frames, thus resulting in 24 frames that would be identicalto having been originally photographed with a 180 degree shutter. In thecase of 120 fps, three sequential frames would be combined, and thefollowing two sequential frames would be deleted, thus also resulting in24 fps. If a filmmaker chose to use the iteration of various embodimentsthat use a single digital camera equipped with an alternating mirrorshutter there could be objectionably uneven merging of frames, sincethere would no longer be the equivalent of a 360 degree shutter, butrather a 180 degree shutter. Nevertheless, it would be possible to usethe 120 frame version of various embodiments, using only the (singleeye) sequence of combining frames 1 and 3, while deleting frame 5, thusresulting again in 24 fps.

Stereoscopic imagery is typically made up of a stereo pair of imagesphotographed simultaneously using 180 degree shutters running at, forexample, 24 frames per second. In this manner, each frame of bothcameras is simultaneously exposed for 1/48^(th) of a second, which meansthat 50% of the action in the scene is lost forever between exposuresbecause of the shutter closures. Some existing 3D projectors projectalternating left and right frames three times for a total of 144 flashesper second. The triple flashes contain no motion because they arerepeats of the same frame. Some other stereoscopy imagery is also madeup of a stereo pair of images photographed simultaneously, however using270 degree shutters running at 48 frames per second. In this manner, aportion of the action is still lost because the shutters were closed for90 degrees. During projection, every left and right frame is shown twotimes for a total of 192 flashes per second. Yet another techniqueshoots the scene at 60 frames per second with a 180 degree shutter, andprojects each left and right frame once for a total of 120 flashes persecond. However, since the left and right frames are simultaneouslyrecorded, again there is not perfect temporal continuity in thesequence.

In accordance with an embodiment, techniques are disclosed forpresenting alternating left and right eye images using a temporal offsetbetween images, such that a set of 60 frame per second images to eacheye contain a total of 120 unique positions in time. By contrast withexisting techniques, various embodiments of the present disclosureintroduce a temporal cadence, so that left and right images containdifferent positions in time rather than simultaneous exposures of thescene, as with existing techniques. This new temporal cadence creates aunique illusion of realism when displayed at 120 frames per second.

In accordance with various embodiments, it is appreciated that perfecttemporal continuity of alternating left and right eye images forstereoscopic display eliminates perceived motion artifacts that resultfrom conventional methodology of photographing stereo pairs of imagesthat are photographed simultaneously, but displayed consecutively.Existing Virtual Reality systems are designed based upon the assumptionthat a stereo pair of images are recorded or generated by a graphicsengine simultaneously. Existing Virtual Reality systems may use variousframe rates to smooth out motion artifacts. By contrast, embodiments ofthe present disclosure provide techniques for generating and deliveringeach of the left and right images of a stereo pair in an alternatingsequence in time, which results in a superior sense of realism to theobserver and improved realism resulting from an apparent doubling of theeffective frame rate.

To this end, in accordance with an embodiment, a motion picturephotographic and projection system is configured to photograph each leftand right eye image of a stereoscopic pair in an alternating temporalsequence, with the 180 degree shutters of the left and right camerasbeing out of synchronization. For example, when the left camera shutteris open, the right camera shutter is closed, and vice versa, so that atany given instant in time either the left or the right shutter is open,matching the cadence of the projector, thus allowing a continuoustemporal sequence of action to be recorded. This alternating temporalsequence can be the same temporal sequence at which the images cansubsequently be displayed. For example, each alternating left and rightimage may be photographed at 60 images per second, resulting in a totalof 120 motion images each photographed at different points in time.Alternately, both cameras with 360 degree shutters can be recording insynchronization, but alternate (odd and even) frames in the left andright sequence are discarded and not projected, while the other framesare flashed in a left-right sequence. These techniques, according tovarious embodiments, result in an unexpected illusion of reality, whichis an important attribute for Virtual Reality systems. Furthermore,embodiments of the present disclosure provide the advantage of smoothermotion, less blurring, and the ability to include much faster action,while reducing bandwidth of the image generation/display computer, incomparison to existing techniques. Embodiments of this disclosure may bereadily included in a wide variety of Virtual Reality display systems,improving their performance and realism at lower cost.

Referring again to FIG. 1, and according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the dual digital cameras including the first camera12 and the second camera 14 can be configured side-by-side, with a lenscenter separation, d, similar to standard interocular spacing ofapproximately 2.25″. In this embodiment, each camera 12, 14 isconfigured to record non-synchronized imagery 16 at, for example, 60frames per second, using a 180 degree shutter 18. In particular, eachcamera 12 and 14 is configured to record the imagery 16 using a temporaloffset, such as shown in FIG. 5, where the second camera 14 records aframe (e.g., 1 R) at some non-zero time after the first camera 14records a frame (e.g., 1 L). The frames (e.g., 1 L and 1 R) are recordedat different points in time, as indicated by the time offset. Forinstance, with a 180 degree shutter, the left camera shutter may be openwhile the right camera shutter is closed, and vice versa, so that at anygiven point in time one of the shutters is open. The offset may, forexample, be 1/60^(th) of a second for a 60 frame-per-second recordingspeed (or 180 degrees of shutter cadence), although it will beunderstood that other recording speeds and offsets may be used. Thisrecorded imagery is shown in FIG. 5, where imagery from the first camera12 is recorded on a first strip of film 50 and imagery from the secondcamera 14 is recorded on a second strip of film 52. In this manner, eacheye is off for half of the time and on for half of the time. Thus, byalternately recording frames 1 L, 2 L, 3 L, and so on from the firstcamera 12 with frames 1 R, 2 R, 3 R, and so on, from the second camera14, each temporally offset from the corresponding frames recorded by thefirst camera 12, a data stream may therefore contain stereo pairs ofimages that can be projected in a correct temporal cadence (e.g.,left-right-left-right, etc., each left image in strip 50 projected at 60frames per second and each right image in strip 52 projected at 60frames per second temporally offset from the left strip 50), resultingin extremely fluid, non-blurred, and higher impact stereoscopic imagery.Such imagery may be projected via an alternating polarization systemsuch as RealD's single projector electronically controlled polarization,a liquid crystal display, a light emitting diode (LED), an organic LED(OLED), a laser scanner, or any other left/right Virtual Realityprojection system. The recorded sequence of temporally offset frames,i.e., the data stream, is represented by the sequence 54 and 56 in FIG.5. This recorded sequence can subsequently be projected at the samespeed as it was recorded (e.g., 60 or 72 frames per second) and usingthe same time offset as it was recorded (e.g., 1/60^(th) of a second orother suitable interval), such that each of the projected left and rightframes contain images of the scene 16 at different points in time (e.g.,from time t=0, 0 seconds (left), +1/60^(th) of a second (right),+2/60^(th) (left), 3/60^(th) (right), etc.).

In some embodiments, the first and second cameras 12, 14 may be the samecamera having dual sensors and lenses. In some embodiments, the cameras12, 14 may include a rotating or liquid crystal shutter. In someembodiments, instead of a camera, the system may include a graphicsgeneration device for artificially generating images rather thanrecording images of a scene. The graphics generation device can beconfigured to generate and project alternating left/right image framesin the manner described above (e.g., the device may render the leftimage, then the right image, then the left image, and so forth insequence, projecting one image at a time to the observer, alternatingbetween the left and right eyes). In this manner, the workload of thegraphics generation device may be reduced, since only one frame is beingrendered at any given point in time.

One example embodiment of the present disclosure includes a method forprojecting moving images in three dimensions. The method includesreceiving left eye frames of a moving image as recorded with a firstcamera lens having a first lens center and having been recorded at atleast 60 frames per second and at left eye recordal times; receivingright eye frames of said moving image recorded with a second camera lenshaving a second lens center that is spaced apart from the first lenscenter and having been recorded at at least 60 frames per second and atright eye recordal times offset from the left eye recordal times; andprojecting said moving image from a single projector in three dimensionsby projecting the left eye frames one time each and the right eye framesone time each, the projecting of the left eye frames and the right eyeframes occurring in an alternating sequence that projects the left eyeframes as recorded at the left eye recordal time by said first cameralens and the right eye frames as recorded at the right eye recordaltimes by said second camera lens, each successive frame of thealternating sequence having been recorded at a successive time andprojected temporally with respect to one another in the same timesequence to show the moving image. In some cases, said first and saidsecond camera lenses have a lens separation of approximately 2.25inches. In some cases, the projecting occurs at a frame rate of 120 ormore frames per second. In some cases, each successive frame of thesequence represents new motion of imagery. In some cases, the projectingsaid moving image includes digital projection of digital frames. In somecases, the projecting said moving image includes projecting said movingimage onto a cinema screen from a single projector in three dimensionsby flashing frames one time each in a sequence that alternates betweenleft eye frames consisting of imagery recorded at the corresponding lefteye recordal times by said first camera lens and right eye framesconsisting of imagery recorded at the corresponding right eye recordaltimes by said second camera lens.

Although various embodiments have been shown and described with respectto the detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those ofskill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may besubstituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of thedisclosure. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt a particularsituation or material to the teachings of the disclosure withoutdeparting from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intendedthat embodiments of the present disclosure not be limited to theparticular embodiments disclosed in the above detailed description, butthat the various embodiments will include all embodiments falling withinthe scope of this disclosure.

1. A method for photographing and projecting moving images in threedimensions, comprising the steps of: recording a moving image with afirst camera; recording said moving image with a second camerasimultaneously with said first camera; and interleaving a plurality offrames recorded by said first camera with a plurality of frames recordedby said second camera.
 2. The method for photographing and projectingmoving images of claim 1, wherein the step of interleaving comprises thesteps of: retaining one of odd or even numbered frames recorded by saidfirst camera; retaining the other of odd or even numbered framesrecorded by said second camera; and creating an image sequence byalternating said retained images from said first and said second camera.3. The method for photographing and projecting moving images of claim 1,further comprising the step of: projecting said interleaved plurality offrames with an alternating polarization system.
 4. The method forphotographing and projection moving images of claim 3, wherein: saidalternating polarization system is a RealD single projectorelectronically controlled polarization system.
 5. The method forphotographing and projecting moving images of claim 1, wherein: saidfirst and said second camera have a lens separation of approximately2.25 inches.
 6. The method for photographing and projecting movingimages of claim 1, wherein: said steps of recording occurs at a framerate of 120 frames per second.
 7. The method for photographing andprojecting moving images of claim 1, wherein: said steps of recordingoccurs at a frame rate of 144 frames per second.
 8. The method forphotographing and projecting moving images of claim 1, wherein: saidrecording is accomplished using a 360 degree shutter.
 9. The method forphotographing and projecting moving images of claim 1, wherein: saidfirst and second cameras are digital cameras.
 10. A method forphotographing and projecting moving images in three dimensions,comprising the steps of: recording a moving image through a left eyelens of a camera; recording said moving image through a right eye lensof a camera; and sequentially delivering left and right eye recordedimages from said left eye lens and said right eye lens to a sensor. 11.The method for photographing and projecting moving images of claim 10,wherein: said step of sequentially delivering left and right eye imagesis accomplished using an alternating rotating mirror shutter.
 12. Themethod for photographing and projecting moving images of claim 10,wherein: said left and right eye recorded images are sequentiallydelivered to said sensor at 144 frames per second to produce interleavedleft eye and right eye stereoscopic image streams of 72 frames persecond each.
 13. The method for photographing and projecting movingimages of claim 10, further comprising: projecting said interleavedstereoscopic streams without a frame buffer.
 14. The method forphotographing and projecting moving images of claim 12, furthercomprising the step of: digitally merging a group of frames from one ofsaid left eye stream or said right eye stream into a single frame. 15.The method for photographing and projecting moving images of claim 14,wherein said step of digitally merging further comprises: combiningthree sequential frames into a single frame; and deleting the next threesequential frames to produce 24 frames.
 16. The method for photographingand projecting moving images of claim 15, wherein: said camera is adigital camera.
 17. An apparatus for photographing moving images to beused in the projection of moving images in three dimensions, comprising:a left eye lens; a right eye lens; and an alternating rotating mirrorshutter.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising: a sensor forreceiving left and right eye images from said alternating rotatingmirror shutter.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein: said rotatingmirror shutter delivers said left and right eye images to said sensor at144 frames per second.
 20. The apparatus of claim 17, furthercomprising: a digital storage medium.